Upholding the law: Policemen monitoring a ceramah by the Teratai Pakatan Harapan candidate at Pasar Pagi Pandan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: As the six state elections are in the home stretch, the police are committed to ensuring a safe polling day on Saturday.
Bukit Aman and the respective state police contingents have been maintaining momentum in safeguarding public order throughout the campaigning period.
“Our preparations have been optimal and we will carry on with our operational deployment.
“We have identified more than 100 hotspots for the state elections and so far the elections have been calm,” Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told The Star.
The Inspector-General of Police said so far, most of the offences involved damaging flags, posters, and banners of political parties and candidates, classified under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief.
“The elections have not been problematic in terms of security and it is down to the maturity of the candidates and their supporters.
“We hope such political maturity will persist until polling day and during the post-election period,” he added.
In terms of hate speech that touched on race, religion and royalty (3R), Razarudin said such cases were few and far between.
“A case of note was the report lodged in Penang against an Opposition leader.”
Other than that, he noted, “we observe that candidates and their supporters have not touched upon matters relating to 3R”.
Razarudin reminded those involved in the elections to refrain from provocations on 3R issues.
“Let us have a smooth election.
“We want the democratic process to go on without a hitch,” he said.
The country’s top cop said a total of 82 CID Ops Cantas teams, consisting of 1,459 officers and personnel, have been deployed to monitor the state elections.
“They have gone to the ground and monitored ceramah and campaigning, including at various hotspots.
“Their priority is to take the necessary action against those who cause trouble during the state elections,” he added.
Razarudin said it is important for all police personnel and officers deployed for the state elections to maintain their momentum in safeguarding the state elections.
“All in the police force must conduct their duties with the utmost dedication and maintain a high level of professionalism.
“Control your emotions when facing any form of provocation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said any candidate in the state elections should lodge a police report if they fear for their safety.
“If there is information concerning the safety of any candidate, come forward.
“Report the matter to the police and we will take appropriate action,” he said.
He was commenting on speculation that Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had to cancel attending recent ceramah for fear of being “trapped”.
Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden had alleged that Muhammad Sanusi was advised not to attend the recent ceramah to avoid “traps” set by his enemies.
Ayob Khan said the trap mentioned might be a “traffic trap”.
“He might have faced the possibility of being in a traffic trap or congestion on the way to a ceramah,” he said in jest.
Ayob Khan advised candidates and their supporters not to simply issue statements on safety without taking proper action, such as lodging police reports.
“The IGP has expressed his commitment to ensuring the safety of all involved in the state elections and maintaining public order,” he added.
